Next to ginger and soy sauce, MSG is probably the most common "spice" associated with Chinese restaurants, especially popular Chinese takeout food. While some people may be allergic and others experience distinct negative physical reactions (like Dad), there are some who don't seem to be affected by MSG (or don't know they are). Companies that use it claim that there is "no ... Continue Reading

Whenever a "month" rolls around to celebrate a "minority group" like "Black History Month", "Women's History Month", "Latino History Month" or "Asian History Month," I feel ambivalent and torn. A little bit like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Special and inspiring, yet woefully inadequate and kind of cheap. One day, one month to recognize and appreciate centuries of ... Continue Reading

​Traveling back from Charleston, I'm reminded of Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor through her cooking and poetry in Vibration Cooking Or, The Travel Notes of a Geechee Girl.
Here is how to cook cow peas: "Remove all the peas that look weird and wash and soak in cold water. Cook in some kind of boiled meat until done."
Here is how to cook red rice: "Fry smoke bacon in a skillet ... Continue Reading

Learn about the surprising history of the storied noodle (it wasn't always long and stringy) and how it's become a universal comfort food. Noodles are diverse in all shapes and sizes, wet or dry. Use Your Noodle and twirl your way to happiness!
Check out:
Flavors Magazine Feature Article on Noodles with Natalie Keng
More on ... Continue Reading

https://vimeo.com/69388655
My mom invented Chinese fast food long before Panda Express ever came along. She told friends, “I worked full-time as a school teacher, had three kids, and they didn’t sell tofu or soy sauce at the local Winn-Dixie grocery store back then. Who had time to make dumplings for dinner?”
Margaret was way ahead of the popular cooking class trend. She ... Continue Reading

Join us for the 17th Annual Afternoon in the Country at Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club, on Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 1pm to 4pm. Natalie is honored to serve as a member of this prestigious organization, Les Dames d'Escoffier, and Chinese Southern Belle is a proud small business sponsor of the event. Be sure to bid on the amazing silent auction items, including our ... Continue Reading

Nibble and nosh your way around the Village Green at the Taste of Smyrna Saturday, Sept. 16 from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Admission is FREE! This is our first time participating. Come visit the Chinese Southern Belle booth for Asian dumplings, sauce tastings & product specials!
... Continue Reading

https://vimeo.com/69388655
Natalie shares about growing up in Smyrna, Georgia and how family dinners and fusion comfort food like "five spice rutabaga" and mom's Hot Hunan Catfish helped her cope with being different and one of the few Asian families in town. ... Continue Reading